Munitions Empire

Former Northern Border Defense Commander of Zheng Country, now Earl of Northern Peace in Tang Kingdom, Lu Qianshan, glanced at Zheng Country's former Southern Border Defense Commander, now Earl of Southern Peace in Tang Kingdom, Bai Fei, and became increasingly nervous.

Standing in front of them were two generals, one Tagg, who eliminated Zheng Country in a single month, and Redman, who destroyed Gomes in half a month; both were absolute famous generals of the age and also their current direct superiors.

That such two busy deities of death would personally come to Linshui Port to welcome someone had Lu Qianshan and Bai Fei guessing who could have such great influence.

Logically speaking, only His Majesty the King's arrival would warrant such a grand welcome, wouldn't it? But it didn't seem quite right, because according to the ceremonial protocol, the setup for welcoming the King seemed a bit too stingy.

They all knew that the Great Tang Kingdom was not short of money, the sovereign's first visit to his conquered land couldn't possibly be so humble.

While the two were lost in wild thoughts, the gangway was already lowered, and an old man with a walking stick slowly descended.

"Mr. Li'ao," Tagg greeted the elder with a smile as he approached, "You've traveled over the vast sea, can your body endure it?" Discover exclusive content at My Virtual Library Empire

"Haha! I've finally returned! Even if my eyes closed right now, I'd die content!" Li'ao laughed heartily, making no effort to conceal the fact of his triumphant return home.

Li'ao, who had always wished to return to his homeland, finally saw his dream fulfilled.

At this moment, he felt his steps become lighter, everything he had never dared to dream of was happening before his eyes, giving him an unreal feeling, as if in a dream.

Several officials from the intelligence department, who had been waiting on the side, immediately bent over in a bow. Being subordinates, they were even more respectful, which made Lu Qianshan and Bai Fei both feel terrified.

These were individuals known for their ruthlessness, demons who would execute without blinking an eye. Whether punishing corrupt officials or dealing with local gentry, each person here bowing to the elder had their hands stained with blood.

Once conclusive evidence was secured, no one dragged into their office building ever saw the light of day again; they were the most feared nightmare of the old bureaucrats of Zheng Country.

If it weren't for Tagg's promise not to pursue the past crimes of Lu Qianshan and Bai Fei at the time of their surrender, it's likely they would have been investigated and would certainly not be alive today.

Now, these terrifying dignitaries were all bending over and bowing respectfully, which showed just how fearsome the old man who disembarked was.

Both swallowed nervously, and before they had a chance to reflect, they saw the fearsome white-bearded old man step aside, standing off to the side, then slightly bowed his head.

This time, they were utterly petrified; they could even feel sweat forming on their foreheads, their calves trembling uncontrollably.

Because they saw at the end of the gangway, a woman with her hands on her waist, chin lifted, walking down the steps with measured grace.

That terrifying elder in front of them had stepped aside and slightly bowed his head, and even Tagg and Redman, two of the era's famous generals, had lifted their arms to stand at attention and salute.

"Attention!" The military officer of the honor guard drew his sword, calling out loudly, and all the soldiers lifted their chins, raising their rifles vertically in front of their faces.

The military music grew louder as the woman stepped down from the gangway, and finally, Lu Qianshan and Bai Fei could clearly see the woman's face.

To say her face could overthrow states and cities might indeed be a bit too exaggerated, yet a single glance at the woman in front revealed a natural poise that masked all her imperfections.

That transcendent aura made even the minor flaws on her face alluring, and with every step she took, it seemed to press upon one's heart, causing those around her to helplessly quicken their heartbeat.

"Teacher! As you were!" the woman spoke as she reached Tagg and Redman, tilting her head slightly and smiling, "It would be too formal otherwise."

"Your Highness, Princess!" Tagg insisted staunchly, "Now that you are His Majesty's consort, there must be no lapse in our courtesy."

"My lord, please be at ease," Redman insisted as well, "You must be weary from the journey; the temporary palace has been prepared."

"Ah..." Knowing that he would probably have to speak so cautiously from now on, Yulin sighed and said, "I have come this time specifically for His Majesty's itinerary... Let's go."

After speaking, she stepped forward and walked towards the car that had been ready at the end of the honor guard. Catching a glimpse of Lu Qianshan and Bai Fei, Yulin slightly slowed her pace, seemingly intrigued by the two black-haired men.

"This is Earl Lu Qianshan of Beining, and this is Earl Bai Fei of Jingnan..." Tagg, following Yulin's gaze, looked towards the two men and immediately introduced them.

Hearing Tagg's introduction, the two quickly stood at attention and saluted. Although still somewhat unaccustomed, their bodies were stiff as rods.

"Sub, subordinate... Lu, Lu Qianshan!" For some reason, Lu Qianshan, who wouldn't even be this nervous when facing Zheng Tong, found himself stuttering the moment he encountered the woman's gaze.

The woman opposite seemed like a creature from another dimension, her eyes looking down at him as if he were an ant.

He had seen such a gaze more than once in some of the youths from Brunas, and every time he saw such a gaze, it seemed impossibly formidable, sending shivers down his spine.

Now, Lu Qianshan and Bai Fei understood that just one look from the princess confirmed that anyone with that kind of gaze must be a remarkably exceptional person of this era.

"Your, Your Highness..." Therefore, Bai Fei was also very nervous, stammering without even realizing it. He was even somewhat resentful, bitter towards the foolish Zheng Tong who didn't know his own depth.

Why would you provoke such a divine-like figure for no reason? Wouldn't it be sweet to just surrender and behave?

"You two have worked hard. At ease." Sure enough, without the camaraderie of the Great Tang Military Academy nor being one of Great Tang Group's own, Yulin merely offered a casual word of comfort before she continued on her way.

Yet even such a casual remark still left the two surrendering earls incredibly tense. They lowered their saluting hands and stood there somewhat helplessly, waiting only for the departure of the princess.

Before long, Yulin's motorcade surged out of the port, with Tagg and Redman, as well as Liao who had accompanied Yulin from afar, naturally all part of the convoy.

The army band that was packing up, the honor guard, and some local officials who had come to greet them all dispersed on their own.

"Just a princess... yet she has the presence of an emperor... This, this is too intimidating," Bai Fei finally exhaled and expressed his feelings once there were no others around.

"Isn't that so... When she looked at me just now, I felt like... like I was being targeted by a venomous snake." Lu Qianshan thought for a long while before he could think of a comparable creature.

Yulin's gaze wasn't as fiercely bold as a tiger's, but it was filled with a threatening danger within its gentleness, which is why Lu Qianshan felt it was more akin to a highly poisonous snake.

"Watch your words, be careful..." Bai Fei wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, shivering twice when the sea breeze hit him, "This princess is no ordinary person. Just in terms of presence, Zhang Ming, Li Jun, and even Zheng Tong... can't compare to her."

"You're telling me... Do you think this is sheer natural temperament? Born with the destiny of nobility?" Lu Qianshan looked around and continued speaking—he could now only chat with Bai Fei, the fellow unlucky soul.

"To subdue such a woman like the princess... Our king... is truly a real man," Bai Fei exclaimed, unable to tell whether he felt more envious or jealous.

"Hss..." Suddenly, Lu Qianshan recalled the proclamation of the establishment of the Great Tang Kingdom, as well as the king having another consort named Yue'er—if she was as formidable as this consort, just thinking about it felt brutal.

Daring to make such a strong and fearsome princess hold her tongue, taking another younger one... or perhaps this formidable one was the younger... The king truly epitomized a real man, a paragon for us all!

Recalling this, Lu Qianshan nodded his head, "Real man indeed!"